Crystal Palace’s late-window rebuild is taking on a distinctly Moroccan flavor. After an unconvincing start to the Premier League season, the club has identified two Moroccan internationals as priority targets to shore up midfield and defense: Neil El Aynaoui, a 25-year-old central or box-to-box midfielder, and Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, a 20-year-old central defender. Both players are reported to be receptive to a move to south London, drawn by the Premier League platform and Palace’s broader sporting project. El Aynaoui has already established himself as a key figure for the Atlas Lions, underlining why so many clubs are eager to secure his signature.
Palace’s Moroccan pivot: El Aynaoui and Ait Boudlal both seen as receptive to south London, drawn by the Premier League and the club’s project.
The interest was first reported by French outlet Foot Mercato, with a wide range of Moroccan, French, African, and global outlets subsequently picking up the story. So far, the reporting reflects concrete monitoring rather than formal bids, and talks between Palace, Roma, and Rennes have not been clarified publicly. No agreement has been reached with either club.
El Aynaoui’s rise has been rapid. He arrived at Lens in 2023 for around €600,000 and quickly established himself, contributing 24 Ligue 1 appearances and eight goals. That form triggered a move worth roughly €23.5 million, and he is now reportedly tied to a verbal long-term agreement with Roma running through 2030. That arrangement complicates any Palace approach, especially with Everton and other clubs also said to be circling.
Ait Boudlal’s situation is different but no less competitive. Increased competition for places in Rennes’ back line has reportedly opened the door to a departure, even as the club maintains a high valuation. A previous £20 million bid from Fulham was turned down, suggesting Rennes will not sell cheaply.
Palace is understood to have the financial capacity to fund both deals, with the combined cost estimated around €40 million. But fee demands from Lens, Roma, and Rennes present a real obstacle to completing a simultaneous double signing. The pursuit reflects a clear strategy: targeting Moroccan internationals who offer proven quality, technical development, and future resale value. Whether Palace can convert interest into signings before the window closes remains uncertain, with financial terms likely to decide the outcome.
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